Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen did not close the door on passing a sales tax swap with a simple majority instead of the current approach requiring two-thirds support of lawmakers and voter approval.
86th Legislative Session
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: There’s more than one way to pass a tax bill in Texas
Texas legislators have two versions of their sales-tax-for-property-tax swap in motion, and if they run out of time, lawmakers have more tricks in their pocket. If they don’t get the property tax cuts they want, it won’t be because of end-of-session deadlines.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Change in tax bill would let many cities and counties raise property tax levies by more than 3.5%
The revision was made in the House. But the high-priority property tax bill is expected to head to a conference committee, where negotiations could change or remove the provision.
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Texas Legislature 2019
With business groups’ backing, House panel adds non-discrimination protection to Senate bill
State Rep. Dade Phelan added the provision to a Senate bill that would bar cities from enacting rules on how businesses schedule their employees’ shifts. LGBTQ groups worried that without the language, businesses could pick which employees get certain benefits.
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Texas Legislature 2019
After Texas Senate committee approves school finance bill, House panel advances sales tax increase to fund property tax relief
The Senate Education Committee approved the school finance bill in a hurried meeting Wednesday. The full Senate is now expected to vote on the legislation Friday. Meanwhile, a House panel advanced a proposal to let voters decide whether a sales tax increase should fund property tax relief.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Electric scooters could soon be kicked off Texas sidewalks, if state Senate gets its way
The upper chamber passed a bill Wednesday that would add several restrictions on the popular, but controversial, machines. The measure would require scooter renters to be at least 16 years old and it would prohibit more than one person from riding at a time.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Texas House passes bill defining fantasy sports as legal game of skill
While critics say fantasy sports sites are hubs for illegal online gambling, others contend the games are based on skill and are therefore legitimate.
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Graphics and data reporting
Here’s how each Texas House member voted on the property tax reform bill
One of the Legislature’s priority property tax reform bills, Senate Bill 2, was approved by the House on a 107-40 margin Tuesday. More than 20 Democratic lawmakers broke party ranks to support the measure.
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Texas Legislature 2019
Analysis: Legislators have a deadline, and so do Texas schools
Lawmakers are in their last month of a regular session, with their priority issues — public education and property taxes — still incomplete. If they can’t finish without a special session, they’ll run into someone else’s deadlines; school districts write budgets and set tax rates in June.
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Texas Legislature 2019
“Guns and safety aren’t synonymous for us”: Some black Texans fear plans to arm more teachers
Black students, who are already overrepresented in disciplinary referrals, say their fears come as lawmakers consider a slew of bills to expand the state’s school marshal program in response to a deadly shooting last year.